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  Cat rose from her chair and approached her son. She cupped the side of his face with her palm. "We believe you, Seth, but the fact is, Jen and Fred want to put a little distance between our families for now."

  Seth narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying I'm not allowed over there anymore?"

  Cat nodded.

  "Seth, come back here and sit down. We're not finished with this discussion," Billie said.

  With the trio once again seated around the table, Billie cleared her throat and delivered the punishment. "As I said last night, your driving privileges are suspended except to go to work. In addition, you will have an eight o'clock curfew for the next two weeks."

  "How am I gonna get to school?" Seth asked.

  "If you don't have your car back by the time school starts, you'll take the bus," Billie replied.

  "Oh man! I'm gonna look like a real loser to the guys," he complained.

  Billie tapped her forefinger on her son's chest. "Anyone who breaks the law and does something as dangerous and stupid as drinking and driving is acting like a loser. I would have never put you in that category, Seth. You are a very good kid who made a very bad decision. I don't want to see that happen again. Understood?"

  "Don't worry. It won't," Seth replied sadly.

  Cat circled the table and wrapped her arms around her son and then kissed him on the head. "Go get your shower. I'll whip you up some pancakes for breakfast before you go to work. Okay?" she offered.

  Seth nodded and rose to his feet. He stopped at the doorway to the living room and turned to look at his mothers. "I'm really sorry about this," he said. "It won't happen again."

  After watching her son go, Cat turned to Billie. "First Skylar and her disappearing act, then Tara and her horizontal mambo, and now, Seth. I think it's a conspiracy!" she exclaimed.

  Billie circled the table and folded Cat within her arms. "I'm going to get on line and add 'Miss Clairol' to our stock portfolio. I have a feeling it's going to do well this year," she joked.

  CHAPTER 8

  Billie stretched her long legs out on the couch and rested her head upon the overstuffed arm. Her right knee was bent and pressed into the back of the couch. Cat lay on her side between Billie's legs. Her long golden red hair was spread across Billie's breasts and her left arm was squeezed between the couch and the warm body beneath her. She sighed contentedly and enjoyed the feel of Billie's free hand running up and down her back. 'An Affair to Remember' was playing softly on the television across the room.

  Cat pointed to the TV. "I love this part. Watch his face when he realizes she's paralyzed. See? Right there. He sees the portrait he painted of her on her wall. Remember the salesman sold it to her when she came into the gallery in her wheelchair?" Cat looked at the amused expression on Billie's face. "Billie! I can't believe you've never seen this movie."

  "I never had the patience to sit through one of these old shows. Or maybe I just never had anyone I wanted to watch them with." Billie traced the end of her finger along the side of Cat's face.

  Cat smiled. "Have I told you yet today that I love you?"

  "Once or twice, I think. But I never tire of hearing it." Billie cupped Cat's face in her palm.

  Cat inhaled deeply and leaned into Billie's touch. She closed her eyes for the briefest of moments. "Listen," she said.

  Billie stopped and concentrated on her environment and frowned. "I don't hear anything," she said.

  "Exactly. God, Billie. I had forgotten how quiet the house can be," Cat remarked.

  Billie lazily played with Cat's hair. "Well it won't be for long. Seth should be home from work in a few hours."

  "It was nice of Mom and Dad to take the girls for the night," Cat said. "I think Tara is still a little preoccupied with the talk we had with her last night. I hope Mom can get her to open up and talk to her about it. God knows she won't talk to me. Besides, she was at loose ends this afternoon without Karissa," she added. "Time with Mom and Dad will do her some good I think."

  "I know what you mean. Missy is spending the weekend with her Dad, so Sky is on her own as well," Billie replied. "Sometimes I wish there were fewer years between Tara and Sky. Tara's at the age where Skylar is just a pain in the ass to her. Poor Sky adores her sister, but Tara doesn't have time for her. I feel really bad for the little rugrat sometimes."

  "You know that's perfectly normal," Cat replied. "Drew was kind of an afterthought, so she was a little younger than the rest of us. I was the next oldest, so I got stuck playing with her all the time. I love her to death now, but I can remember how angry I was when Mom made me take her everywhere with me."

  "Maybe being any only child gives me a different perspective," Billie observed. "I would have loved having a little sister to tag along with me."

  Cat rolled onto her stomach and braced her hands on the couch on both sides of Billie. She lowered her face to Billie's and stopped a hair's breath away from her lips. "I'll bet you were a beautiful child," she breathed into Billie's mouth.

  Billie took Cat's face between her palms and kissed her passionately.

  Brrrrrrring! Brrrrrrring!

  Cat pulled her mouth from Billie's and looked at the phone. "Damn!" she whispered.

  "Let it ring," Billie urged.

  "Billie, I can't. What if it's one of the kids?"

  Billie pressed the back of her head into the arm of the couch. "Grrr. I guess you're right," she admitted.

  Cat climbed off the now heated wife and went to answer the phone.

  "Hello."

  "Hi. Is Billie home?" a female voice replied.

  "Yes, she is. May I ask whose calling?"

  "Shannon Nash."

  "Just a moment, Shannon." Cat handed the phone to Billie. Her eyebrows perched high on her forehead.

  Billie covered the receiver with her hand and frowned. "What is she doing calling me at home on a Saturday?"

  Cat shrugged.

  Billie brought the receiver to her ear. "Shannon, this is Billie. Is there a problem?"

  "Hi Billie," Shannon chirped cheerily. "No problem at all. I just wanted to call to thank you for last night's dinner. Julie and I had a really good time. We both thought Cat was just a doll. In fact, Julie and I enjoyed your company so much that we would like you to join us for an afternoon on the lake. We have a pontoon party boat with lots of room for both of you and your kids. What do you say?" she asked hopefully.

  Billie was taken aback by Shannon's unexpected invitation. It wasn't often that clients wanted to socialize. "Ah, let me run that by Cat. Could you hold on for a minute?"

  "Sure... take all the time you need," Shannon replied.

  Billie covered the receiver once more. "They want us to join them for an afternoon on the lake. Can you believe it?"

  Cat narrowed her eyes. "Do you really think we should? You don't usually like to socialize with clients."

  "You're right, but they won't be clients for very long. Their case is basically open and shut," Billie explained. "So, what to do you think? A boat ride does sound nice."

  "I thought you didn't like Shannon," Cat commented.

  "I don't dislike her, Cat. I just don't appreciate her being nicey-nicey with my wife. I'll just keep an eye on her, and if I don't like what I see, I'll throw her overboard. How's that?" Billie replied with a lopsided grin.

  The childlike look of excitement on Billie's face was something Cat couldn't resist. "You know, you're awfully cute when you smile like that. If you really want to go, then let's."

  "Cool!" Billie returned the receiver to her ear. "Shannon, it sounds like a date, but it'll be just Cat and I. Seth is working, and the girls are doing an over-nighter with their grandparents. Yeah, it is too bad. You're right—Skylar is pretty close to Kaleigh's age. I'm sure between the four of us, we can think of ways to entertain her. As long as there is no paper dolls involved, I'm in!" Billie laughed. "I guess we'll see you in about twenty minutes then. Okay. Bye," Billie said after giving Shannon their address.

  Billie t
urned to Cat. "They'll be here to pick us up in about twenty minutes."

  "I guess we'd better change our clothes. I wouldn't want Shannon and Julie catching us still in our nightshirts in the middle of the afternoon," she chuckled.

  Billie drew Cat into an embrace. "It's not every day we get to laze around and not get dressed. I was kind of enjoying it."

  "So was I, love. So was I, but I don't think going bra-less is proper attire for boating."

  "You may be right...not unless there's a wet T-shirt contest involved."

  Cat snickered. "Those killer breasts of yours would be sure to win. They should be registered as lethal weapons."

  Billie took Cat's hand and led her toward the stairs to the bedrooms. "If we had more time, I'd show you lethal."

  "Promises, promises," Cat joked.

  ***

  "How do I look?" Cat asked as she turned around in circles.

  Billie ogled her wife dressed in shorts, tank tops, deck shoes and baseball cap. She stepped into Cat's personal space and nuzzled her neck. "Good enough to eat," she replied.

  Cat caught Billie's face between her hands. "I don't think so, Big Guy. You had your chance. You passed it up for an afternoon on the lake, remember? You'd better have some good bait if you want fish for dinner tonight," she added with a wide grin on her face.

  Billie's eye widened. "That was really, really bad, Cat!"

  Cat raised her arms out to the sides. "Hey, I never said I was a comedian."

  The sound of a car horn reached their ears.

  "They're here," Billie said. "Let's go."

  "Wait. Let me grab the sunscreen." Cat rummaged through the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. "Here it is. I guess we're all set."

  Billie stepped onto the porch just as Shannon rang the doorbell. She extended her hand in greeting. "Great timing."

  "Are you all set for a day on the water?" Shannon asked.

  "You bet. Thanks for the invitation," Billie replied.

  "Our pleasure." Shannon offered her arm to Cat, who took it willingly.

  Billie looked questioningly at Cat.

  As they approached the car parked at the curb, Julie climbed out, followed by a little girl with blonde ringlets who glued herself to Julie's side.

  Cat was immediately smitten with the little tyke. She released Shannon's arm and bent over to address the little girl. "You must be Kaleigh."

  Kaleigh smiled shyly and half buried her face in Julie's shirt.

  Julie tried to shake her daughter loose, and urged her to be more social. "Kaleigh, sweetie, this is Miss Cat, and that is Miss Billie," she said. "She's pretty shy until she gets to know you, then she'll talk your ears off," Julie added.

  Shannon held the car door open for Cat. "What do you say we head for the lake?"

  Before stepping into the car, Cat noticed another vehicle approaching them from down the street. "Billie, isn't that Jen?"

  "Yes, it is," Billie replied.

  Billie and Cat waved cheerfully as Jen's car approached. They were sorely disappointed as they watched a deep frown cross Jen's features and her car speed up as she drove past them.

  Billie and Cat looked at each other sadly. Billie shook her head back and forth, and Cat wiped tears from the corners of her eyes. In the back seat of Shannon's car, they held hands and communicated their sorrow to each other silently as they conversed with Shannon and Julie on the way to the lake.

  ***

  Shannon's car came to a full stop in front of Billie and Cat's house. "Julie, Shannon, thank you for a wonderful afternoon. We really enjoyed ourselves," Cat said.

  Shannon quickly climbed out of the driver's seat and opened Cat's door for her. You are entirely welcome, Cat. It's just too bad Billie got a little wet."

  Billie exited through the door on the opposite side of the car in time to see Shannon gallantly open Cat's door. Billie had to consciously remind herself that Shannon was probably just being a gracious host. "A little wet?" Billie said incredulously. "Try soaked to the bone."

  "Kaleigh didn't mean to knock you overboard. She just gets a little rambunctious sometimes and doesn't know her own strength." Julie tried hard not to laugh through her explanation.

  "I've told her a million times not to run across the deck of the boat, but you know kids. They've got a knack for acting first and thinking later," Shannon chimed in. "Isn't that right, Kaleigh?" she added.

  Billie looked over the roof of the car at Cat. "Don't we know it!" they said in unison, causing both to laugh at their timing.

  "Well, we hope it didn't spoil the afternoon for you," Julie said apologetically.

  Billie smiled. "Not at all. After all, what's a little water among friends?"

  "I'm glad you feel that way," Shannon observed. "So... considering Kaleigh and Skylar didn't get a chance to meet today, how about a cookout at our place tomorrow?"

  Billie experienced an odd feeling of being invaded, and of being rushed into a relationship she wasn't sure she wanted. However, she didn't want to disappoint Cat, who had thoroughly enjoyed Julie's company that afternoon.

  "I think we're free. Cat?" Billie deferred.

  "Yes, I don't think we have anything else planned."

  "I guess that's a yes," Billie said, "however, let's have the cookout here so Seth can join us when he gets off work."

  "Sounds good to me," Shannon replied. "Why don't we give you a call tomorrow morning and set up a time and figure out a menu?"

  Cat turned to Billie. "Maybe Jen and Fred would be willing to join us as well."

  Billie's thoughts flew immediately to the nagging sensation that had been plaguing the back of her mind since Jen's dismissal of them earlier that day. "We can certainly offer, Cat, but don't get your hopes up."

  Cat nodded her head repeatedly. "I know, but like you said, we can certainly offer." She looked at Shannon and Julie. "You don't mind, do you? Jed and Fred...and their kids, Stevie and Karissa are our closest friends."

  "No, please. The more the merrier," Shannon replied.

  "Good. Then we'll hear from you tomorrow morning?" Cat reiterated.

  "Tomorrow morning," Shannon repeated. "Well I guess we'd better get the little one home. It's nearly time for dinner."

  Julie waived to them over the top of the car. "See you tomorrow."

  Cat wrapped her arms around Billie's waist as they watched Shannon and Julie drive away. "Did we just commit our entire weekend to your clients?"

  Billie enveloped Cat in an embrace. "Looks that way, doesn't it?"

  "I hope we're not making a mistake," Cat said softly.

  "That thought has crossed my mind as well, but somehow, I don't think so. You know, maybe it's time to develop new friendships. It could be that Jen and Fred are becoming tired of us. Who knows what's motivating Jen's behavior of late," Billie mused.

  Cat looked at Billie. "I'm worried about her, Billie. Something besides the situation with Seth and Stevie has got to be wrong. For the life of me, I can't figure it out."

  "Well, maybe we need to give her some space. Hopefully, she'll come around soon. If not, then we'll confront her directly. If the friendship is truly lost, then we'll have nothing left to lose by trying," Billie reasoned.

  Tears welled in Cat's eyes. "I hope the friendship isn't lost. I truly love Jen. I love her like she is one of my sisters—maybe even more—in a different way."

  Billie nodded. "I know, baby. I know. I don't want to lose her either. We'll work it out somehow." Billie squeezed Cat gently and took her hand to lead her toward the house.

  ***

  "Hello, Fred? Hi, this is Cat. Is Jen right there?" Cat paced the living room, her cell phone held tightly in her nervous white-knuckled grasp.

  "Cat, Jen can't come to the phone right now. She isn't feeling well," Fred explained.

  "Isn't feeling well? Is there something I can do?" Cat's medical training immediately came to the forefront.

  "No. It's just a little upset stomach. She'll be fine," he explained.


  "Can I come to see her?" Cat suggested.

  "Cat..." Fred said haltingly. "Cat, she really doesn't want to see you right now. Neither of you."

  "Damn it, Fred! Billie and I have no idea why she—no...why both of you are so upset with us. How can we defend ourselves? How can we make amends when we don't even know what we did wrong? This isn't fair."

  "I'm sorry, Cat, but now isn't the time to discuss it. Look, I've got to go," he said stoically.

  "Fine. Have it your way, but know that this isn't over. You'll have to talk to us sooner or later. Goodbye," she said firmly. Cat disconnected the call before Fred could voice a response.

  "Ahhh!" Cat began to pace the room. "That man!" She stopped in front of Billie. "You know, most of the time Fred is carefree and quite easy to manipulate, but all of the sudden, he's so stubborn and obstinate."

  "He's defending what's his, Cat. I'd do the same. The tamest animal will turn wild in defense of its family. I sure wish I understood what's behind it, but I can't say that I blame him," Billie observed.

  During Cat's rampage Seth had emerged from his room upstairs. He stepped into the living room just as Cat let out her last frustrated scream. "What's up?" he asked.

  Billie and Cat turned toward the stairs at the sound of their son's voice. "Hey Scout," Billie said. "We were just discussing how Jen and Fred seem to be angry with us all of the sudden and we really don't understand why."

  "Yeah, I know what you mean." Seth dropped heavily onto the couch. "Steve stopped into the store today to talk to me against his parents' wishes. Oh, by the way, he's gonna be fine. His butt is a little sore, but he's okay."

  Cat sat on the coffee table in front of her son. Billie joined him on the sofa. "So, what did Stevie have to say?" Cat prompted.

  Seth looked back and forth between his mothers. "Well for starters, they're pretty upset with me. They think I pushed him down the stairs on purpose. Steve was too drunk to remember any of it to tell them what really happened, and they're also mad at me for driving him home drunk," Seth admitted.

  "I can't say that I blame them," Billie interrupted. "You're paying for that with the loss of your car. We were none too pleased about it either."